MF, I am of the thinking that there were a few reasons for 80:1 :
It's going to spend its life fairly low stressed (lowered compression ratio, limited throttle) not ever expected to slash knee high grass like a normal rotary
The engine sits more out in the open for heat dissipation - not couped up with cowl and tank over it
When you are trying to cater to a discerning market with competitors like the sb45, any smoke will be frowned at - especially considering a noise disadvantage already
I personally do run them dryish - that is turn off tap off at idle, listen for when it begins to lean out and kill the ignition.
Hearing people turn them off at flat stick with the fuel tap makes me cringe - though I have personally done it when running out of fuel accidentally
